Charlotte Rørth at Garden of Lemons
Join us for a week of focus on how to let our Christian faith give us joy and peace in today´s busy and often confusing world. We will inspire each other on how to incorporate our heritage and the spiritual practices refined through generations into the lives we live in our different countries.
Immerse yourself in the tranquil surroundings as you embark on a journey of reflection and contemplation. Our retreat offers a unique blend of quietude, spiritual practices, inspiring talks and gentle conversations among participants from many countries, guiding you towards a deeper connection with your faith.
Each day begins with a 20-minute contemplative prayer in the orangery, setting the tone for spiritually enrichment. Afterwards I will introduce the days focus – it being silence, lectio divina, exploring different forms of prayer, and embarking on a serene pilgrimage in the valley—an enchanting landscape reminiscent of the shores of Lake Genesaret.
After a delightful lunch, you will have two peaceful hours in silence to rest or take a leisurely walk, allowing you to connect with nature and find solace in its beauty. In the afternoon, we gather in the orangery again for insightful talks and lectures, where we delve deeper into matters of faith and spirituality.
As the evening approaches, we come together under the olive trees, a symbol of peace and abundance, to savor a good glass of wine and engage in quiet conversations. These moments of connection and reflection will leave a lasting impression on your heart.
Programme
Sunday June 9th:
Arrivals.
7 PM: Welcoming dinner at Garden of Lemons.
Monday June 10th:
10 AM – 1PM: Welcome. How can we find serene joy in our everyday life? How can our faith form part of a transformation into a more meaningful existence? This week will give you inspiration of many kinds on how to incorporate spiritual practices that will enhance your life. The first practice
will be that of silence. Introduction to the 20-minutes contemplative prayer that we will pray every morning in the orangery. Afterwards coffeebreak in the garden. A talk and debate on why silence is called the language of God.
1 PM – 2 PM: Lunch.
2 PM – 4 PM: Silence – time to immerse on your own, to rest or wander in the garden.
4 PM – 6 PM: Gathering in the orangery, presentation, quiet walk & talk two by two about our
own silence.
6 PM – 7 PM: Soothing conversations and drinks by the pool.
7 PM: Dinner at the local restaurant (included).
Tuesday June 11th:
10 AM – 1PM: Gathering in the orangery. 20-minutes contemplative prayer. What is Lectio divina
and what does it do us? Presentation and practice. Handouts of a Bible text and an illustration.
1 PM – 2 PM: Lunch.
2 PM – 4 PM: Silence – time to immerse on your own, to rest or wander in the garden.
4 PM – 6 PM: Gathering in the orangery, where I will tell the story of my visions and how I live with
the spiritual experiences, more than half of us have.
6 PM – 7 PM: Soothing conversations and drinks by the pool.
7 PM: Dinner.
Wednesday June 12th:
8 AM – 11 PM: Trip to Úbeda og Baeza. Small breakfast and 20-minutes contemplative prayer onboard the bus. Spanish breakfast upon arrival in Úbeda. Special tour with guide Andrea Pezzini. Visit to La Sacra Capilla de El Salvador, la Sinagoga de Agua and the museum for Saint John of the Cross. Lunch at one of the most authentic restaurants in Úbeda is included as well as tapas in Baeza, where we will have a beautiful stroll on Paseo de Antonio Machado.
Thursday June 13th:
10 AM – 1PM: Gathering in the orangery. 20-minutes contemplative prayer. Presentation of pilgrimage as a spiritual practice. What does walking have to do with our faith? How does a daily walk embody faith? Presentation and handout of the seven words of pilgrimage. Which one speaks to you?
1 PM – 2 PM: Lunch
2 PM – 4 PM: Silence – time to immerse on your word of pilgrimage.
4 PM – 6 PM: Pilgrimage in silence along the river with stops for reflections on a Bible text.
6 PM – 7 PM: Fruit and drinks by the pool.
7 PM: Dinner.
Friday June 14th:
Day trip to Granada (not included in the programme) or a quiet day at home for reflections and immersion on your own. We will make our own meals and meet up to go to the local church for service at 7:30 PM.
Saturday June 15th:
10 AM – 1PM: Gathering in the orangery. 20-minutes contemplative prayer. Why should we pray and how? Presentation and conversations on different forms of prayer. Why are some of them so hard? Others so gentle? Handouts. Which one will you choose to practice this morning?
1 PM – 2 PM: Lunch
2 PM – 4 PM: Silence – time to immerse on your own, to rest or a last wander in the garden.
4 PM – 6 PM: What can we bring home from our stay together here? Conversations in groups under the lemon trees. Final gathering in the orangery.
6 PM – 7 PM: Drinks by the pool.
7 PM: Farewell dinner.
Sunday June 16th:
Departures.
